Things to do in Bucharest

Romania’s capital will keep visitors captive during days in Bucharest, as the city is rife with history and rich in culture. Historic landmarks and sites of the Soviet era intermingle with quarters from centuries past, bringing together a view of quaint old Romanian life that contrasts with the grey dullness and communist grandiosity of the Ceausescu era and the lore of the real-life inspiration for Dracula. Art lovers will revel in the impressive collections of art as well as the city’s stature in the world of classical music.

Parliament Palace

The third-largest building in the world in terms of floor space and the largest in Europe, the Parliament Palace covers 330,000 square metres and houses the Romanian Parliament and the National Museum. Construction on the palace began in the later years of Nicolae Ceausescu dictatorship, when he ordered that a historic hill and neighborhood be cleared to make room for it. The palace rises 12 storeys high and has four underground levels in use and four more in the construction stage. Overall, the building measures 270m by 240m and 86m high.

Revolution Square

The end of President Nicolae Ceausescu’s rule was laid bare and revealed to the president in this square in December 1989, as 80,000 people he had though to be his supporters chanted angrily about the secret police’s arrest of an outspoken priest. The president emerged from the balcony of the Central Committee building (now the Romanian senate) and his face fell, revealing his shock and realisation to his public and the world in the televised event. Ceausescu and his wife attempted to flee by helicopter from the roof, but in the end, they were captured, quickly tried and shot. In 2005, the Romanian government unveiled the Memorial of Rebirth, a 25-metre-high marble pillar.

Historic centre

Bucharest’s traditional core has revolved around the old, cobblestone streets between the River Dambovita, Calea Victory, Boulevard Bratianu and Boulevard Regina Elisabeta. This area is still vibrant and today hosts several clubs, bars, coffee-houses and restaurants. The quarter revolves around the Old Court, which has been reduced to a few remnants and only viewable inside by a pre-arranged visit.

Beside the court lies the city’s oldest church, the Biserica Curtea Veche, which dates back to the 16th century. To the north lies strada Lipscani, an old merchant street that offers curios, souvenirs, wedding gowns and vintage and second-hand stores. Nearby, the 18th-century Biserica Stavropoleos church offers one of the most beautiful tours of magnificent, recently restored frescoes and icons. Also, be sure to pay a visit to Hanul lui Manuc, Bucharest’s oldest inn, which still operates and is fairly inexpensive. The hotel houses a shady court, several restaurants and a café-bar that is popular with young locals.

Patriarchal Cathedral

This stunning cathedral, which dates back to the 17th century, overlooks southern Bucharest from atop a hill and serves as the headquarters for the Romanian Orthodox Church. The tomb of St Dumitru, Bucharest’s patron saint, and worshippers often make the pilgrimage up the staircase to pay respects at his shrine. Outside, near the entrance, the oldest icon, dated 1665, captures patron saints Constantine and Helen, and a fresco depicts souls on their way to heaven or hell.

Arcul de Triumf

Based on the Paris monument, Bucharest’s triumphal arch is decorated with sculptures from noted Romanian artists Ion Jalea and Dimitrie Paciurea, and commemorates troops who won Romanian independence as well as those who fought in WWI. It is the third arch to be built on the site, as the first two were temporary and the original, under which revolutionary troops marched home for victory, was built of wood. The current arch stands 27 metres tall.

Romanian Athenaeum

Opened in 1888, the ornate, domed, circular building is the city's main concert hall and the home of the George Enescu Philharmonic as well as an annual international music festival, also named after George Enescu. The Neoclassical, Romantic ground floor is an ornate conference hall as large as the auditorium above; the auditorium seats 652 people. Above are 25 frescoes depicting Romanian history.

Princely Palace

City founder, Prince Vlad the Impaler, may be more known as the inspiration for Bram Stoker's vampire, Dracula, than he is for settling in Bucharest in 1459. Fans of the fictional work may enjoy seeing the man’s palace, which he built during his iron-fisted reign over Southern Romania.

Museums

Bucharest has many museums, and visitors have the opportunity to see some major collections of arts, craft, Impressionist works and outdoor preservation. The Zambaccian Museum contains a once-private collection of Impressionist paintings, including an early sculpture by Constantin Brancusi, which is housed in its original residence. The top floor also holds several works by Parisian artists such as Picasso, Bonnard and Renoir.

The Romanian Peasant Museum won the European Museum of the Year award in 1996 for its creative exhibits of religious and traditional crafts such as handmade rugs, pottery, tools, painted eggs, rosaries and icons. On the shores of Lake Herastrau sits the Village Museum, one of the largest and the oldest outdoor museum in Europe. Visitors can gain an insight of Romanian village life through tours of its houses, churches and water, wind and cloth mills. The homes contain folk handiworks that mark rural Romanian life.